BLM seeking nominations for Western Slope Resource Advisory Councils

The Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest and Southwest Colorado districts are seeking public nominations for 10 open positions on their Resource Advisory Councils, which advise the BLM on public land issues.

The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils, composed of residents chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the BLM carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands.

The BLM, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has 29 Resource Advisory Councils across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.

Each council consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials and academics. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

“I value the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils,” BLM Director Bob Abbey said in a news release. “The people who live, work and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues, and their input will enhance our agency’s ability to manage the public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources for future generations.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area.

Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations; a completed background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

Descriptions for council positions are as follows:

• Category One — Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation.

• Category Three — Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

In the Northwest District, five positions are open, including two positions in Category 1, two positions in Category 2 and one position in Category 3. Nominations for the Northwest District (Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, Kremmling, Little Snake and White River Field Offices) RAC must be submitted by March 12 to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: David Boyd, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO., 81652. Additional requirements and nomination forms can be found by going to www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Resources/racs/nwrac.html or by calling Boyd at 970-876-9008.

In the Southwest District, five positions are open, including one Category 1 position, three Category 2 positions and one Category 3 position. Nominations for the Southwest District (Gunnison, Tres Rios and Uncompahgre Field Offices) RAC must be submitted by March 12 to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Shannon Borders, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO. 81401.

Additional requirements and nomination forms can be found by going to www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Resources/racs/swrac.html or by calling Borders at 970-240-5399.